Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is currently on a working visit to Sweden, where she has already met with the local parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”. The focus of the discussions included support for Belarusians living in Sweden, cooperation with the Riksdag, and partnerships with the Nordic Council countries.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya outlined practical steps Swedish MPs can take to support democratic Belarus:
- Expand support for Belarusians living in Sweden
“We continue to face numerous problems with legal documents. Your help can be decisive – and if we solve this issue here, it will set an important precedent for other countries”.
- Sign a memorandum of cooperation between the Riksdag and the democratic forces
“Similar to what we’ve signed with the Polish Senate and the European Parliament. It could play an important role and send a clear signal to people inside the country that Sweden does not recognize Lukashenka”.
- Continue the Libereco symbolic godparenthood program for political prisoners
“I know many of you are already godparents but perhaps you can help spread the word among your colleagues”.
- Advocate for expanded cooperation with the Nordic Council
“We could sign a memorandum of cooperation or launch a partnership between the Nordic Council and democratic Belarus”.
In addition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the Foreign Minister of Sweden, Maria Malmer Stenergard, at a rally in support of Ukraine. She delivered a speech calling for unity in the face of authoritarianism:
“Belarus and Ukraine are not only on the front line of the fight against tyranny – we are shaping the frontline of Europe’s security and defense. Supporting democratic Belarus is an investment in our shared security”.
